Memorial Held for Hector P. Garcia on his 99th Birthday

It was a somber but proud day at Seaside Memorial Thursday, as a handful of friends and family paid their respects to late civil rights leader Dr. Hector P. Garcia.

Jan. 17, 2013, would have been Garcia's 99th birthday. His great niece, Barbara Canales, reflected on the late doctor's life and her fond memories of her great uncle.

The event was in remembrance of the late leader for his efforts during the civil rights movement, not only here in South Texas, but across the country. That, said Canales, is what made her great uncle such an important civil right's leader.

"I think he would be happy in some regards, and disappointed that we are still fighting certain battles, like English only, like immigration issues," Canales said. "I think his heart would hurt to see that we still have colonies where we have healthcare issues that need to be addressed, but he wouldn't be dismayed. He would just say we need to get to work."

Garcia founded the American G.I. Forum in Corpus Christi in March of 1948. He was an Army veteran doctor who made a lasting impact on the community and the people who live here.